Markham Milk Bag Program
Notice: The City of Markham is no longer accepting bags or mats at the Civic Centre because the program is on hiatus. Please connect with Milk Bags Unlimited for alternative collection locations of bags and mats. Contact sustainability@markham.ca with any questions.
Markham’s Milk Bag Program is a story about how people came together from across the community to create something beautiful from common milk bags. The 4-litre milk bags are colourful, strong, and can be transformed into a variety of products. There are a number of local community groups working hard to collect, weave, and send completed mats to areas of need.
To support these efforts, Markham collects clean milk bags at two recycling depots— Unionville and Markham Village. Markham also incorporates milk bag activities into summer camp programs, and assists with training for community groups, schools etc. who want to get involved.
Did you know?
- Plastic bags, especially milk bags can last for over 1,000 years in the environment.
- They are unique to Eastern Canada
- Since the start of the program in 2011, Markham community members have helped to divert over 2 million milk bags from the landfill!
Milk Bags and the Greenprint
The Milk Bag Program aligns with the Greenprint – Community Sustainability Plan in several ways:
- Reducing Waste – Keeping milk bags out of our landfills brings us closer to Markham’s goal of zero waste
- Protecting the Environment – Reusing milk bags keeps them out of the environment where they can harm wildlife and disrupt the ecosystem
- Caring for Each Other – The finished mats are donated to help people in need, locally and worldwide. This is how we build caring and vibrant communities!
Congratulations
Did you know that in October 2015, Markham won the Platinum Award from the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) in the category of Special Municipal Programs!
- The Story of Milk Bags in Markham
Markham’s Milk Bag Program began in the summer of 2011. A few local community groups were crocheting mats out of milk bags to help support disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Waterproof and durable, the finished mats were sent to emergency zones as temporary sleeping and surgical mats, providing critical resources to families in need.
How can I get involved?
- Collect and clean milk bags and bring them to the recycling depots (Unionville and Markham village)
- Start a Milk Bag Mat Weaving Group! Download the Markham's Milk Bag Weaving Guide [PDF] and learn the steps to weaving a milk bag mat.
- Borrow a loom. Visit the Markham Civic Centre Contact Centre and sign out a “Loom Lending Kit”
- From a Local to Global Community
Recycling depots across Markham collect milk bags to support the program!
Mr. Dave Wood from Unionville High School and his student volunteers helped to make over 40 wooden looms!
"Milliken on the Move" senior group weaving mats
Residents in Haiti receiving sleeping mats
In May 2014, Milk Bags Unlimited picked up 40 mats, donated by various Markham community groups. The charity will ship the mats to Haiti where they will be used as sleeping mats and temporary surgical mats.
- Get Involved
Are you interested in starting your own milk bag weaving project?
The City of Markham has looms available to borrow to help get your project underway. The City also provides instructions to make your weaving journey even easier!
Once you have completed a sleeping mat, they can be dropped off at the following charities:
Milk Bags Unlimited
344 Westridge Drive
Kleinburg, ON L0J 1C0
Email: info@milkbagsunlimited.com
www.milkbagsunlimited.caCanadian Food for Children
1258 Lakeshore Rd. E.
Mississauga, ON L5E 3B8
Tel: 905-274-9239
www.canadianfoodforchildren.netFor more information on how to get started, call the Contact Centre at 905.477.5530, or e-mail sustainability@markham.ca.
Please note: The rental of milk bag looms is currently unavailable.
